Even though I thought I was going to die, everything was O.K
Written: Nov 02 '00 (Updated Nov 02 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The staff was great and all the flights were on time.
Cons: Did not like the "hot"smell in the plane on the first flight.
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| SherLesa's Full Review: American Airlines |
We recently flew from Reno to Orange County to go to DisneyLand. This was my first time to fly EVER, and to tell the truth I was scared to death. I watch too much T.V. and I just knew I was going to die. Hehe.
When we started to plan our trip to DisneyLand, I got on the computer and went to AmericanAirlines.com and they have a trip planning section for you to chose which kind of trip you would like to take. From the flights, to the Hotels you will stay at and the tickets for DisneyLand and other attractions in the area. I printed up our plans I created and took them to our travel agent to see which had the better price. For 9 of us to go, 5 adults and 4 children, it was around $5400.00 for the whole thing. Our airline tickets were only $89 per person round trip which was a shock to me. I thought they would be $150+ for each person.
When we got to the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, the AMERICAN AIRLINES check in counter was the first thing we saw. The people that took our tickets and checked our luggage in was so polite and efficient. They had all 9 of us, and 13 bags checked in, in less than 15 minutes. Then on to the gate we went to wait for our plane.
We had 4 flights to take on our whole trip. From Reno/Tahoe International to San Jose. Then from San Jose on to Orange County, then the same for coming back. Each and every flight we had was right on time. I had heard horror stories of planes being late and you missing the next flight out on your trip, but everything went smoothly. Each of the 4 planes were clean and comfortable.
FLIGHT #1
For the first leg of our trip, we were on flight 2859, at gate C8. (A 54 minute flight) We were to board at 10:14 am and the flight left at 10:44 am. They allowed the first class and disabled passengers on first, then they let the second class on. We got lucky and all of the planes we went on were the planes where they made more leg room for you in the second class, so we were all comfortable. (I have to share this little gem with you. We were waiting for our flight and my Niece was looking out the big window at our plane that had just come in. As she stood there with her forehead leaning against the glass, she sneezed and banged her head against the glass (not enough to hurt her) and of course there was a mess on the window. She hit the glass so hard you could her the "bang" all thru the terminal, and there are about 100 people sitting there, and everyone started to laugh. She of course wanted to crawl and hide, but that was how our trip started out!) As we got ready for take off, I was pretty nervous, but I knew I had to keep it together for the kids sake. I was sitting with my daughter, and across the aisle my husband was sitting with my son. As we took off, the kids were yelling with joy at how fast the plane took off then shot up in the air. And here I was all worried about them getting air sick!! We leveled out, and settled down for our flight. We did have a little turbulence, and that was kind of scary, but then at the end of the flight, the plane started to smell hot, like something was burning. You know how your car smells when you have gone on a long trip?? That was the smell. I was lucky enough to be in row 16, that was right in front of the wing. I look out the window and I see smoke coming off the wing. Of course I get a little freaked out by this. No one else seems to notice, so I try to ignore it. Have you ever seen that TWILIGHT ZONE show where there was a flight and there was an alien on the wing of the plane tearing it apart, and the man at the window see's it and freaks out?? Well that started going thru my mind (I told you I watch too much T.V) As the flight goes on, the smell gets worse, and there is still smoke coming off the wing. So I lean across the isle and ask my husband if there is smoke coming off his wing. He says "yes, that is normal dear" then he laughs at me. How nice is that?
We land ok, not the big jarring bump I expected and we got off the plane. Don't think I didn't want to go kiss the ground when we landed.
FLIGHT #2
We then had a little over an hour layover, which was perfect for us to go eat lunch before our next flight. Our Next flight was flight # 2833 from San Jose to Santa Anna/Orange County.(An hour and 12 minute flight) We boarded the plane at 1:36 pm and it took off right on time at 2:05 pm. On each of the flights we were served a snack (packet of Gardetto's and a drink.) From Coke, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Club Soda to Beer. (The beer was $3 a glass that you paid to the flight attendant). The flight was so short, they served us, the turned right around and started picking up before we landed. This flight was much better than the first, hardly any turbulence, and the plane didn't smell like it was on fire!! LOL. The flight attendants were great, and they gave the kids a comic book to read on the flight and take home with them, which helped us out a lot with keeping the kids occupied on the flight. When we landed and went to get our luggage, we found out that they lost one of my Brother-in-laws bags. But we were prepared and took a set of clothes for each of us in a carry on. He had to go turn in a claim for the luggage and the number from the tag, and it was brought to our hotel that night, so it was no biggie. I thought it was cool that they got it to him right away instead of making him wait, like I have heard in all of the horror stories I have heard.
FLIGHT #3
On the way home, the flight from Orange County to San Jose was cool. Flight # 2846. It was supposed to be an hour and 12 minute flight, but the Co-Pilots wife was in labor, so they cut it down to a 40 minute flight, and they flew a different way home so we got to fly by the Golden Gate Bridge, so that was cool to see. I also wanted to mention that the Pilot's on all the flights would get on the loud speaker and introduce themselves and give you information about the flight you are on, how long it would be etc...then while on the flight they would tell you which window to look out of to see certain things. This trip also went without a hitch, making me feel so much better that we were still alive and made it thru another flight!!
FLIGHT #4
The trip from San Jose to Reno/Lake Tahoe was also a fast one. (54 minutes) With Hardly and turbulence. The flight was so smooth in fact, my daughter fell asleep before take off, and slept thru the whole flight including landing. She thought I was kidding when I told her it was time to get off the plane when I woke her up. The pilot and flight crew were very polite, and great with the passengers. A flight attendant gave the kids some plastic "wings" to pin on their shirts that have the AA (American Airlines) emblem on it. My son now wants to be a pilot instead of a police officer...for this week.
All 4 flights were great, I was impressed with the whole experience, from the staff to the flights being on time. The seating was great with the bigger seats, the flight attendants and pilots were very polite and great with the kids. The next time I fly, it will be with American Airlines, and now that I know what it is all about, I won't be quite so scared!!
Thanks for reading, and have a great day!!! :o)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
SherLesa
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Location: Southern California
Reviews written: 48
Trusted by: 8 members
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